tUnNeL oF dEaTh

And now it is time for THE ANZOB TUNNEL OF DEATH, which I rather enjoyed. The 5km long tunnel was originally opened in 2006 while still unfinished, lacking lighting, ventilation, drainage, and even *asphalt*, properly earning its moniker. The tunnel was improved in 2015, though it still lacks ventilation to this day. There was an exciting dearth of current information about the tunnel because few travelers had made it this far in the last three years - essentially only those who were already present when covid struck. Still, I gathered that it had been at least moderately improved, so I strapped on my swimming goggles and N95, then set out. Visibility plummeted, and I made sure to keep the truck in front of me just within sight. Through the thick smog, even the lights barely shone, like sunlight disappearing in the depths of the ocean. An accident or mere traffic jam here would literally be toxic. But the road surface was fine, and after six fairly uneventful minutes I was through, and much sootier for it.

On the other side, the landscape grew yet more dramatic. Jagged mountains barely holding on to precarious scree fields threatening to unleash chaos at any moment, the road stained where they had made good on that commination. The crumpled remains of a semi smashed into the mountain side, left there for who knows how long. Bridges flanked on either side by the crumbling carcasses of their deceased siblings. Trucks straining to climb the steep ascents with their bonnets open for better airflow. It is easy to forget that these things are more than just scenery for those who live with them every day - but I also think they are not so oppressive if one is simply accustomed. Sometimes it just do be like that.